Southwest Celebrates #GivingTuesday by Donating $25,000

At Southwest Airlines, we believe in giving back year-round, but on Tuesday, Dec. 2, we’re celebrating our Servants’ Hearts with others around the world by participating in #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement where charities, families, businesses, communities, and students unite under one common purpose: to give back.
Southwest is proud to take part in this day by donating $2,500 to ten organizations, for a total contribution of $25,000. While these organizations represent only a sampling of our overall giving, we’re excited to contribute to the organizations listed below to help them achieve their mission. Read on to learn about how each of these organizations benefits from Southwest’s donations.
3Arts"Southwest’s support makes all the difference to our organization, which is committed to advocating for Chicago’s women artists, artists of color, and artists with disabilities. Through this partnership, we are able to send underrepresented artists to residency programs across the country, bring nationally-acclaimed judges to Chicago for our jury panels, and build our organizational capacity by helping our staff participate in conferences and other professional development opportunities out-of-state." - Esther Grisham Grimm, Executive Director, 3Arts
All Hands Volunteers"Our partnership with Southwest allows our organization immediate access to the airways so our assessment teams can be on the ground as quickly as possible after a natural disaster. We are grateful for our friends at Southwest, and we simply could not do the work we do without such steadfast support." -Sara Hannafin, Director of Engagement, All Hands Volunteers
AmeriCares"As an Annual Emergency Response Partner, Southwest Airlines helps ensure we can act quickly to save lives and restore health whenever disaster strikes. The company’s valuable support allows us to conduct needs assessments and rapidly deploy emergency response teams to disaster zones." - Michael J. Nyenhuis, President and CEO, AmeriCares
Dream Foundation®"We are so grateful to Southwest Airlines for providing our dream recipients with an invaluable gift that affords them the opportunity to reunite with family and share a final memory with children and other loved ones at the end of their lives. Our program focuses on those who lack the resources to manifest their dreams themselves, and a plane ride is often the vehicle that allows them to break from a schedule built around managing medical bills and illness. The work we do would not be possible without the collective generosity of patrons and sponsors like Southwest." - Kisa Heyer, Executive Director, Dream Foundation®
FIRST®"For the past three years, Southwest has provided roundtrip tickets to top students and key volunteers so they can experience the excitement of major events like our annual FIRST Championship. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is grateful for the continued, generous support Southwest provides to our organization." -Donald E. Bossi, President, FIRST®
Miracle Flights for Kids®"Every day, we hear from parents who only dare to dream of getting their desperately-ill child to a medical specialist thousands of miles away. Together, Southwest Airlines and Miracle Flights for Kids® turn their dreams into reality. Struggling financially under the weight of mounting medical bills, the families we help find new hope and children have the best opportunity for longer, healthier lives." – Ann McGee, founder and National President, Miracle Flights for Kids®
Team Rubicon"Team Rubicon couldn't do what we do without Southwest's help. Among the many places Southwest’s ticket donations has allowed veteran volunteers like myself to go is Oklahoma, where we were able to honor the dozens killed in the tornadoes and the thousands of our fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who died in the service to the nation." - Peter Meijer, United States Marine Corps Veteran
The Mission Continues"The continued support of Southwest Airlines to The Mission Continues has allowed hundreds of veterans like me to come together as a team, build camaraderie, and cultivate a strong passion for solving the toughest issues in our communities. It wouldn't be possible without Southwest." – Lee Freeman, Minneapolis 1st Service Platoon Leader, 2013 Fellow and Air Force officer
The Student Conservation Association"With the support of Southwest Airlines, the SCA is able to afford students the opportunity to take care of their planet and grow individually. Together, we are setting an example and supporting Environmental Stewardship, while also planting the see for future generations." -Peter J. Bokolas, Director of Corporate Relations, The Student Conservation Association
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
"The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars hosts nearly 2,000 domestic and international students for life-changing experiential education programs in Washington, D.C., each year. Southwest provides these students with free roundtrip travel to the Nation’s Capital to expose them to unique working and learning experiences that launch flourishing careers in business, public service, communications and so much more." -Michael Smith, President, The Washington Center
How are you giving back for #GivingTuesday? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting @SouthwestAir!"